Description: A large Neotropical family of herbs and woody plants, occasionally lianas. Verbenaceae have opposite leaves, simple or (in Vitex) palmately compound, and often with a strong vegetative odor and/or glands on the lamina. The stems are usually square.

Economic uses: Some species of Verbenaceae are used in flavorings. The shrubs Lantana and Stachytarpheta are commonly planted ornamentals that have naturalized in many tropical areas. Gmelina arborea, an introduced tree species, has been widely planted in Costa Rica.

A mass planting of Stachytarpheta in front of the La Selva dining hall is a favorite foraging ground for Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds and other nectar-feeders.

Stachytarpheta flowers.

Stachytarpheta with opposite leaves.

Tectona grandis is native to Asia and widely cultivated as a source of teak wood. Rubbing the young leaves will turn your fingers red. Note the opposite decussate leaves and square stems.

Vitex cooperi is the only member of the Verbenaceae with compound leaves. (Square stems distinguish it from Tabebuia in the Bignoniaceae. Vitex cooperi also has variable 3-5 leaflets, while the local Tabebuia species are always 5.)